Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S4F-02497

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 December 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2014

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the agreement that was reached at the climate change talks in Lima.

Question reference: S4W-23652

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S4W-23381

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 5 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the announcement by Ineos of its intended investment in shale gas extraction in Scotland.

The Scottish Government endorses, the robust regulation of onshore drilling techniques associated with the extraction of shale gas, such as fracking. The Scottish Government approach is underpinned by the principle that the highest levels of environmental protection must be enforced. The Scottish Government has strengthened Scottish planning policy in relation to onshore unconventional gas activities through the introduction of buffer zones and additional risk assessments; and ministers will bring forward further guidance to empower potentially affected communities, ensuring that the views of local communities are taken into account. This will deliver rigorous scrutiny and regulation; strengthen monitoring; and will be particularly directed at any proposals which involve hydraulic fracturing.

Question reference: S4W-23380

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 5 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding licensing for unconventional gas extraction.

Question reference: S4W-23379

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 4 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it has had with Ineos over the last six months and what issues were discussed.

Question reference: S4W-22906

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 12 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed human trafficking bill will ensure a legal right to assistance for people who have been trafficked.

The Scottish Government commitment, given on 17 March 2014, to bring forward a human trafficking bill confirmed that specific provisions would be included within the bill to enhance the rights of victims to access support and assistance.

This will build on the current arrangement under which the Scottish Government provides grant funding of £723K to those agencies that provide direct support to potential and confirmed victims of human trafficking.

Question reference: S4W-22908

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 12 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be opportunities for people who have been trafficked to be involved in the development, implementation and review of its proposed anti-trafficking strategy.

It is the intention that Scottish Ministers will work with all relevant agencies to prepare, implement and review an anti- trafficking strategy. As part of this process we will engage closely with those organisations who provide assistance and support to potential and confirmed victims of trafficking. In developing, implementing and reviewing the strategy we will seek the views of these organisations about how best to take account of the experiences of those potential and confirmed victims of trafficking.

Question reference: S4W-22907

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 12 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed human trafficking bill will provide independent and statutory arrangements for decisions on (a) the formal identification of, (b) assistance for and (c) monitoring of outcomes in relation to people who have been trafficked.

The competent authority for decisions on the identification of individuals as potential victims of trafficking is through the UK wide National Referral Mechanism. Identification through this process affords victims access to support services which is provided on a needs assessment basis.

The National Referral Mechanism process is under review by the UK Government. The Scottish Government has participated actively in the review and will consider carefully the conclusions from the review and in particular the implications for potential and confirmed victims of trafficking recovered in Scotland.

Question reference: S4W-22962

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 4 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason fuel used by Marine Scotland when carrying out surveillance has been excluded from its carbon reduction targets.

Question reference: S4W-22561

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 September 2014
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 13 October 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Men's Health Forum Scotland regarding the future of the Men's 10k, which may close due to lack of funding, and what its response is to the petition on Change.org calling for investment in the future of the event.

The Scottish Government have not been approached by the Men’s Health Forum Scotland (MHFS) regarding the future of the Glasgow Men’s 10k run.

We recognise the importance of promoting men’s health and that’s why we provided over £500,000 to Men’s Health Forum Scotland between 2007 and 2012 through the Keep Well budget and Section 16b of the General Grants Scheme.

It has been highlighted to MHFS on a number of occasions that for any business to be sustainable central government funding cannot be relied upon given the economic climate. They have been encouraged to pro-actively seek alternative funding streams to help the organisation develop an effective sustainable business model.

I understand that there have been issues in securing funding for the 2015 Glasgow Men’s 10k event. This type of event can be a fun and visible way to promote causes such as better men’s health. It is essential however that such events be sustainable as well as successful. The Scottish Government provide funding to Jog Scotland who have provided expert advice and support to Men’s Health Forum Scotland in marketing the 2014 event and organising the associated 5k run. I have therefore asked my officials to meet with Men’s Health Forum Scotland to explore all options that would allow the 2015 and future events to happen successfully and sustainably.